Artificial tree



Sept 29, 1925.

L. H. BARKER ARTIFICIAL TREE Filed July 1, 1924 ATTORN Patented Sept. 29, 1925.

.LEwIsH. BARKER, or EUREKA, CALIFORNIA.

ARTIFICIAL TREE- Application flle d July 1,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS H. BARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing, at Eureka, in the county of Humboldt and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Artificial Trees, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial trees, and has for one of its objects to simplify and improve the construction and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this character.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this character formed of separable parts, to enable trees of varying sizes to be built up, or to be knocked down for shipment or storage.

With these and other objects in view the 20 invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawings illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved device.

Figure 2 is a transverse section, enlarged, through one of the intermediate branch sup- 30 porting ferrules.

Figure 3 is a vertical section, enlarged, of one of the intermediate branch supporting ferrules.

Figure 4 is a perspective view enlarged, of one of the coupling ferrules for a pair of opposed standard sections.

The improved device comprises a standard form of plurality of sections 10, preferably of wood, and adapted to be arranged end to end as shown in Figure 1. The sections may be tapered, as shown, and the lower section set in a supporting base 11, and the uppermost section provided with a socket 12 to receive a tree branch 13, to form a finish to the tree structure.

Attached at 14 to each of the sections 10, except the upper one, is a tapering, longitudinally split, bendable coupling ferrule 15 having its lower portion, in proximity to each of the edges of its split, provided with openings 15 for the passage of holdfast devices to secure said lower portion against the upper terminal portion of a lower standard section. Each ferrule 15 extends beyond the upper end of the sec- 1924. Serial No. 723,565.

tionto which it is attached and the extended portion constituting a socket to removably receive the confronting end of the next upper section. 1

By this means a trunkor body maybe constructed of any required length. Attached at 16 to each of the sections 10 intermediate the ferrules 15, is another split ferrule 17, and each of the latter provided with a plurality of socket devices 18, preferably inclined to the longitudinal axis of the sections and ferrules, as shown. The sockets 18 are designed to support small branches of trees indicated at 19.

The device, when the parts are coupled and the branches 13 and 18 connected, closely resembles a natural tree, and by increasing the number of the sections 10, or reducing their individual lengths and increasing the number of the socket bearing intermediate ferrules 16, the representation of a tree of apparent increased density may be produced, as will be obvious.

The device is simple in construction, can be inexpensively manufactured, and the sections 10 and the ferrules repeatedly used, requiring only the renewal of the perishable branches 13 and 19. When not in use, or when being shipped or stored, the sections 10 may be disconnected and the branches discarded.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the drawings and set forth in the specification,but it will be understood that modifications within the scope of the claimed invention may be made in the construction without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is 1. An artificial tree, comprising a sectional standard longitudinally split bendable ferrules embracing the standard to overlap the joints between its sections, each ferrule being adapted to be secured to one section leaving the next adjacent section free, and means for detachably supporting tree branches on the standard at intervals throughout its length.

2. An artificial tree, comprising a sectional standard, means for detachably coupling the sections of the standards together, and longitudinally split ferrules embracing the standards between said means and having laterally extending tubular portions constituting sockets for detla'chably receiving tree limbs.

3. An artificial tree comprising a tapering sectional standard, tapering;longitudi nally split bendable ferrules embracing the standard to overlap the joints between-the.

sections, each ferrule provided with openings for the passage of hold-fast-devices -tosecure it to one section leaving the next adjacent section freeof connection there-- with, and means arranged. onthe standard adjacent to theferrules for detachablyjsup porting tree branches at spaced intervals throughout the standard.

4. An artificial tree comprising a sectional .it-toa lower section leaving the next adjacent upper section free of connection therewith,- and means- =for detachably supporting tree branches on the standard at intervals throughout its length and independent of the ferrules.

In testimony whereof," I affix my signature hereto.

, LEWIS BA-Rl i-ER- 

